If you are following the liquor scam in AP it is yet another example of how low down governance has gone in the state. It is not unknown that cartels run the trade and there is much give and take between the cartels and politicians but the money changing hands in terms of deal payoffs amounting to INR 750 cr is a shocker.

ACB raids have shown direct and indirect linkage between the liquor barons and many serving ministers. An embarrassed government has done the next best thing of transferring out the man in charge of the raids Mr. Srinivas Reddy to a low profile job.
Liquor business is and has been a money spinning trade for politicians in the state, auctions are fixed, selling over MRP is overlooked, Benami ownership is rampant (in some cases holders of “antyodaya cards “are shown as the owners of the liquor shops (antyodaya card holders receive 35 kg of rice every month, they are the real BPL as per definition).

It is a sordid tale of unscrupulous politicians and bureaucrats conniving together to make money out of the hapless citizen. There is no rule and rhyme in giving out the licenses, there are liquor shops within 100 mts apart, there are shops on the highways and cartels run the trade all over the state.

The increasing consumption of liquor and its effects on health is not even up for discussion; our leaders are busy doling out more licenses. They want the citizens to be in an intoxicated permanently. Go to any village and suburb, working class and poor people are spending away their hard earned daily wages on liquor. It is a vicious cycle of liquor consumption, family, health, poverty etc. Politicians have kept the masses under their thumbs.

One should read what Aacharya Chankya said about control of liquor business in Arthshastra. Decidedly his views are more cogent and socially responsible than the current bunch of selfish leaders. Our state excise minister himself is accused of being a cartel member. He should read Acharya chanakya -

“Aacharya Chanakya has described the rights and duties of Suradhyksha in his Arthshastra as below :
Suradhyksha should give permits to only those experienced traders who have sound family background of liquor trade in Durg, Janpath, Skandavar (Cantonment). Suradhyksha could centralize or decentralize the trade of liquor. One who is found producing, selling-purchasing or consuming liquor outside the fixed place should be fined 600 Panka (coins). Suradhyksha should make arrangements to stop intoxicated people going out of village; to each other’s houses or to public places. Only citizen who’s good conduct is known to Suradhyksha could take liquor stamped with Rajmudra in little magnitude as -- one fourth Kunduv half Kunduv, one Kunduv, half Prashta or one Prastha. Those who were not allowed to take liquor outside could drink either in Bars or at vends of liquor. If any drunkard tries to purchase liquor by mortgaging something or paying illegal money (owner of which is not known) or makes payment through precious liquidity etc. then the shopkeeper should send him to some other place and hand him over to police with the help of liquor officer. A person who spends more than his income or does not save anything for future because of drinking liquor may also be handed over to police.